by Anna Jacobs
‘This isn’t a fashion show. They cover you up – that’s the main thing you need from them at the moment. And I care more about what sort of person you are than whether you look glamorous.’ He grinned. ‘After all, I’m not exactly the most handsome man on the planet, am I?’ He went to complete his own ablutions without giving her a chance to reply to that.
When he came out, she was standing in front of the dressing table, on which were a few neat piles of clothes. Her expression was bleak as she said, ‘Just checking what I’ve got left.’
He waited, but she didn’t say anything else. ‘Do you want to read in bed for a while, Gabrielle?’
‘I just realized: they took my books. All my books, even the tattered ones I’ve loved since I was a child.’
He could have kicked himself for not thinking of that. She must have lost a lot of small possessions she cared about. Unable to leave her to bear her pain alone, he moved slowly over to where she was standing. ‘I’m not trying to have my wicked way with you, Gabrielle, but I think you need another hug.’ He held open his arms, leaving the choice up to her.
With a sound of sheer anguish, she walked into them, and he held her for a while.
Then he pulled back a little. ‘How about we get into bed? We need to talk, but sometimes it’s easier to talk freely in the dark, don’t you think?’
She immediately stiffened.
‘Get into our separate beds,’ he corrected. ‘I phrased that badly.’
‘No, you didn’t. Sorry. I’m too suspicious.’ She got into her bed and lay down, looking suddenly boneless and white with fatigue.
He switched off the overhead light and got into his own bed, yawning. It had been a long day.
Her voice came softly through the darkness. ‘I do appreciate you coming to help me, Dan. I can’t thank you enough.’
‘That’s all right.’
‘Why did you come so quickly?’
He didn’t hesitate. ‘Because I’m attracted to you, starting to care about you. Can’t you tell?’
Silence, then, ‘I suppose.’
‘I’m the sort of man who takes things slowly, though,’ he said as the silence continued. ‘And I can take no for an answer, if you’re not attracted to me.’
‘Oh. Well, actually I am attracted to you, Dan, but at the moment so many horrible things are going on that I can’t face another relationship.’
He decided to lighten things up a little. ‘We haven’t got a relationship yet, so there’s nothing to face.’
She gave a slight huff of laughter. ‘Then what are we doing sharing a bedroom?’
He was glad to hear the laughter, brief as it was. ‘Apart from fate leaving only one room free here, we’re sharing for the usual reason: we both needed somewhere to sleep. And I don’t think you wanted to be alone tonight, so I was happy to stay with you.’
There was silence, then she said unexpectedly, ‘You’re right. I didn’t want to be alone. And … I do like you, Dan Monahan. A lot. But that’s as far as I’m prepared to go at the moment.’
He felt as if he’d won a major victory and snuggled down, smiling. ‘Good. I like you, too.’ A yawn overtook him. ‘Don’t take it wrongly if I fall asleep on you in the middle of a sentence. I’m exhausted.’
There was no reply, only a soft whiffle of breath. She’d beaten him to it, falling asleep between one word and the next.
He was happy to follow her example. It had been an arduous day for them both. Tomorrow they’d decide what to do next. Tomorrow …
Eight
Dan woke at his usual six o’clock. He didn’t want to disturb Gabrielle, so lay in bed, thinking over what had happened.
‘Are you awake?’ Her voice was hesitant and not much above a whisper.
He hadn’t moved, but she must already have been awake, too, listening to his breathing. ‘Yes. I’m an inveterate early riser.’
‘Oh, good. So am I. I’ll just use the bathroom.’ She got out of bed and went into the tiny en suite.
When he came back from the same errand, she was standing by the window, staring along the street towards her former home.
Her voice sounded steadier this morning. ‘There are crime scene tapes at the house. The tape shows very clearly, but it wouldn’t stop anyone who wanted to get inside, would it?’
‘Not for a second.’
‘Thieves would be disappointed if they broke in.’
‘Very.’
‘I suppose they took Stu’s boxes of things, too. They’re gone from the garage, anyway.’
Another pause, then, ‘Dan, I’ve been awake for a while, thinking what to do. First I have to stop the real removal people from coming today. Then I have to get all the remaining bits and pieces of rubbish out of the house and throw them away.’
He went to stand beside her. ‘And after that? Do you have somewhere to go for a few days, or are you going straight up to Rochdale?’
‘I thought I might as well see that lawyer in Rochdale about my inheritance. No use hanging about here. Mr Greaves – isn’t that his name?’ She let out a mirthless laugh. ‘They even stole his letter in amongst my papers, so you’ll have to give me his address again.’
‘I can do that. I think it’s a good idea for you to get away from here. Why don’t we travel to Rochdale together? I have business there, too. I’m thinking of moving up there and taking on a job offered by Mr Greaves.’ He was even more eager to do that now.
‘Go in a two-car convoy, you mean? I’m supposed to get mine back today.’
‘That’s not very sociable. I can come in yours or you in mine – whichever you prefer.’
She turned to give him another of those long, searching looks.
He held his breath, surprised all over again by how much he wanted her to say they could travel together.
She gave a little nod, as if he’d passed some sort of test. ‘We’ll go in your car, then. I can put the remaining bits and pieces in mine and leave it behind Tania’s place. Besides, Stu might be able to trace me through my car. He won’t know anything about you or yours.’
‘I’ll leave my car here at the back of the B and B when I come to help you clear your house, so that your neighbours won’t be able to link you to it if anyone comes round asking.’
She laughed suddenly. It was the first time he’d seen her laugh properly and it lit up her whole face.
‘What’s so amusing?’
‘It’s just struck me. This is like a mystery novel – no murders, but a few brushes with cops and robbers.’
‘They call such stories “cosy mysteries” these days.’
‘Cosy. I like that name. I’d love to feel cosy again. And it is a mystery what’s going on with me, isn’t it? I don’t understand it at all.’
‘The police may get to the bottom of it eventually. Or else I might have a go, out of sheer curiosity. I don’t like to leave ends dangling.’ Especially when it concerned someone he cared about, but he didn’t say that.
They tried the removal firm’s number, but got only the answerphone. They left Dan’s mobile number and asked them to call back urgently.
‘Breakfast isn’t served till eight o’clock at the soonest,’ Gabrielle said.
‘Too late for me.’ He picked up the packet of two biscuits left beside the tea-making equipment in the corner and offered her one.
She shook her head.
‘Mind if I eat them both? I have a fast metabolism.’
‘Go ahead.’
He began munching and said between bites, ‘Shall we stroll up to your house and check that it’s all right? By the time we come back, breakfast will be served.’
‘Fine by me.’
‘You still need to contact the removal people.’ Dan checked his watch as they wandered back to the B and B half an hour later. ‘There may be someone there now.’
To her relief, a woman picked up the phone.
After Gabrielle had explained what had happened and cancelled the job, Dan grinned at her.
‘Let’s go and eat our “full English breakfast” now. I’m ravenous.’
‘You must have hollow legs.’
He chuckled. ‘My grandma always used to say that.’
‘So did mine. Granddad was the same, always ready for something to eat and never putting on weight.’
Gabrielle was as hungry as Dan and they ate cereal and fruit, followed by bacon, eggs, sausages, tomatoes and baked beans. Dan ended up with toast and honey as well.
After paying their bills, they went back up to their room.
‘Good thing I had my credit card with me,’ Gabrielle said, patting her stomach ruefully. ‘I don’t usually eat such big breakfasts. I shan’t feel hungry again for a week, I’m sure.’
‘I enjoyed every mouthful. How soon will your car be ready?’
‘About ten, they said.’
‘Let’s go and chivvy them to do it faster. How soon can you pack your things?’
‘In two minutes flat.’ She sighed. ‘I’ll need to buy a few more clothes today or tomorrow. They even took my everyday clothes, leaving only the ragged, worn-out things. I’m ashamed to leave the house looking like this.’
‘Do you have enough credit on your card to buy what you need?’
‘I’ll be all right as long as the money for the house goes into my bank account at noon, as it’s supposed to do. Oh! I don’t have a computer any more. I won’t be able to check that online. I’ll have to go into a branch of my bank. Thank goodness I’ve still got ID in my handbag.’
‘You can check your account on my smart phone.’
‘Thank you.’ She put one hand on his shoulder and leaned across to kiss him on the cheek. ‘You’ve been wonderful to me, Dan. I don’t know what I’d have done without you.’
‘My pleasure. And isn’t that what friends are for?’
‘Yes, but somehow you always make me feel good about myself. That’s such a bonus.’
He was sorry when she stepped back, ending the physical contact quickly. But at least she had initiated this brief touch. ‘I only speak the truth as I see it, Gabrielle. Do you have the number of the tyre place? I’ll give them a quick ring and ask them to hurry up.’
Fortunately, the car was almost ready, but after they’d picked it up, they had to go back to the house to deal with the handover.
The detectives were there, taking a last look at the scene of the crime.
‘We got some tyre prints,’ one of them said. ‘Lucky it rained yesterday. We think we’ve found the deeper indentations of the removal truck.’
When the police had left, Gabrielle filled the dustbin with rubbish, but couldn’t sweep the house. She packed the few remaining bits and pieces into her car, then stared down into the boot. ‘Not much to show for thirty-five years, is it?’
Dan was horrified by how little there was left, but tried not to show it. Even the food from the cupboards had gone. ‘No, it doesn’t seem much. But you’ll gradually acquire other things. This is a consumer age, after all.’
‘Other things won’t be the same. They even took my photos, Dan. What use would those be to anyone?’
He gave her another quick hug and felt her take a couple of deep breaths, as if pulling herself together.
‘No use crying over spilt milk. I’ll leave my car at my friend Tania’s when we head north. She has a spare parking space. She’s on holiday but I’ll leave her a note and phone when she gets back.’
The estate agent arrived at eleven thirty, ignoring Dan as he looked round disapprovingly. ‘Couldn’t you at least have vacuumed the place?’
Gabrielle controlled her anger at his rudeness and explained what had happened.
He gaped at her. ‘You’re joking.’
‘I wish I were. I’ve lost everything I own.’
He looked at Dan. ‘Who are you?’
‘Detective Sergeant Barlow,’ Dan answered promptly. ‘Just finishing up here.’ He flashed a card at the agent, but gave him no time to study it and find out he was lying. ‘And you are?’
It was Gabrielle who answered, managing to keep a straight face as she introduced the estate agent, then added, ‘If you want anything doing about cleaning this house, contact my ex. I’m sure he’ll have more resources than me at present. I don’t even have anywhere to live.’
He didn’t seem to know what to say to her. ‘Well, yes. Sorry about your problem. I’ll – um, see to it. You just … get on. You must have a lot to do.’
Dan came across to murmur in her ear and she nodded, turning back to the agent. ‘I’ll need to check my bank account to make sure the money’s gone through, before I hand over the keys. But as I’ve had my computer stolen, the DI has kindly agreed to lend me his smart phone. Unless you want to lend me yours?’
‘No, no. I’ll wait for you to check. There won’t be any problem, though. Our accounts department is very efficient.’
To her relief, the money had been paid into her bank account. She turned to Dan. ‘I’m ready to go now.’
They left the agent speaking urgently on his phone.
She didn’t turn back to look at the house as she got into her car.
‘You all right?’ Dan asked.
‘I’m managing OK. Thanks for asking.’
She looked at her rubbish bin liner half-full of clothes, sitting limply on the back seat. ‘Do you think I’ll set a new fashion in designer luggage?’
‘Bound to. Shiny black, soft, pack in style, very cheap. Who could resist such a bargain?’
That brought a genuine smile.
They left Gabrielle’s car at Tania’s building, pushing a note to her friend and the remaining car key through the letter box of the flat. By now, the thieves would probably have thrown away the spare that had been hanging in her hall.
Dan’s phone rang just as they were about to set off. ‘It’s the police,’ he mouthed at her, then listened intently.
‘He was just letting us know that no one has reported a removal truck stolen, but they found a witness who’d seen it leaving. The lad said it was plain grey, shabby, nothing remarkable about it, no company name on it.’
‘So that’s that. They’ve got away with it.’
Dan looked at his watch. ‘We’re not going to get to Lancashire before everything closes. How about we stop for the night on the way up and make an early start in the morning?’
‘Whatever you like. Perhaps we can stop somewhere with shops. I won’t take long, I promise you. I’ll just buy a few necessities. I need clean underwear and I prefer not to wear items saved for cleaning the floor.’
‘Of course we can find some shops. And you can take as long as you need.’
Dan watched her buy swiftly and frugally in a big chain store, comparing jeans and tops by price and quality. But she fell for one pretty skirt and a top with a glittery band round the neckline. She looked good in it, had a better colour in her cheeks this afternoon. And he noticed her buying two simple cotton nightdresses and a matching dressing gown.
He bought a couple of books while she was trying another pair of jeans on. He chose cosy mysteries, of course, was addicted to them.
Then they went to find accommodation.
‘Separate rooms?’ Dan asked.
She swallowed hard. ‘Would you mind twin beds again?’
‘Of course not.’
But there were only rooms with double beds left.
Again he let her make the decision. ‘One room or two?’
‘One will be fine. If it’s all right with you. I’m still feeling a bit nervous and don’t fancy being on my own in a strange place, even though I know Stu has no way of tracing me. It’s not logical, is it?’
He lowered his voice, for her ears only. ‘No, but it’s normal for people in your position. I value your trust in me very highly, and I promise I won’t abuse it.’
She nodded, but she didn’t even know whether she wanted him to make a pass at her or not. He had been so restrained, without making a fuss about it. Perhaps he didn’t fancy her.
She was torn both ways, valuing his restraint and yet wanting him to hold her close, touch her … and perhaps more.
It had been a long time and she was only human. Other women had casual relationships from time to time. She never had. Tania thought her mad.
She’d decided she was picky.
And then she’d gone and fallen for Stu. Picky and a fool.
But Dan was different. He was a steady sort of man – wasn’t he?
The hotel room was cramped but clean with adequate facilities.
Dan dumped his suitcase on the small stand and took out his phone. ‘I’ll just call Mr Greaves and find out when he’ll be free to see us. He doesn’t finish till six most nights.’
He waited till someone picked up. ‘Henry! It’s Dan here. Look, I’m bringing Gabrielle to see you. She has nowhere to live and will need one of the houses, I think. We’ll tell you all about it when we arrive tomorrow. Do you have a free slot? OK. We’ll be there.’
He turned to Gabrielle. ‘Henry can see you tomorrow afternoon at two thirty. Unless there are huge hold-ups, we should be able to make it easily.
Then he looked at the bed. Not even a king size. ‘Are you sure you’re all right with this?’
‘Yes.’
‘Let’s go and find some food, then.’
She smiled. That man did seem to love his food, and yet he was trim and looked muscular. ‘Do you work out to use up all those calories?’
‘I run sometimes, try to get in a few walks, even in cities. I like walking.’
‘So do I.’
‘Good. We’ll go walking on the moors together, if you like.’
There he went again, making plans for their future. She wasn’t certain what she wanted, but she did enjoy his company … and his touch.
They ate in the café attached to the hotel. It was adequate but she couldn’t finish her meal.
When they went back to the bedroom, Gabrielle waited to see if she felt nervous about sharing the bed. But she didn’t. The more time she spent with Dan, the more at ease with him she felt.
‘Shall I use the bathroom first?’